The Silver Bullet Beer Grade 3

for 3yo fillies over 8.5 furlongs or 1650 metres. (Race ID : 3012420)

by Darcy “Dingo” MacPhee

Let us take a journey back in time not that long ago, in fact just 3 short weeks. Picture yourself listening in to the CEO of Louisiana Downs Racetrack and Casino talking rather heatedly to his Track Manager…….

“Bob its only 3 weeks until the Silver Bullet Stakes is due to run and how many entries do we have Bob? How many? ONE that’s how many! What are you going to do about it Bob?

What did Bob do you may well ask, I will tell you what he did, he came up with a can’t lose marketing strategy. First he pondered what a person thinks of when you say Silver Bullet?

Lone Ranger and Tonto, Native American issues and men in spangled silver outfits, nope no opportunities there!

Vampires and how to kill them, definitely not the image he was looking for!

Then it him just like the proverbial silver bullet, Beer, of course Silver Billet the slogan for Coor’s Light. It was simple to get them on board, no sponsorship money just supply 5000 Silver Bullets (cans of Coor’s Light). Supply FREE Beer and Horse Trainers will come and bring their horses with them. A few phone calls the major Residencies of Horse Racing and the magic words of “all the beer you can drink” was all it took.

Now here we are on race morning, ok not a full field, but certainly a quality field of 10 fillies are here to try for the prize.

Jumping from the No 1 Gate is the 5/1 shot Lorne Romsey from the extremely successful Tulloch Lodge stables, running from the Boss’s own personal stable of kyogle and proudly representing The MIDAS residency. We managed a few words with John (kyogle) the trainer, and he was most ebullient about his horse’s chances.

“Yeah Dingo mate, she’s a real beaut, really just the one setback 3 starts back, but she lost a shoe in the run. OK, she didn’t place last start but did you see how hard she was finishing? No doubt about it she is ready”

“So John it wasn’t the promise of FREE BEER that got you to come to Louisianna?

“Now what makes you think that me ol’ mate?” – he answered with a grin and a wink

“Well a little Birdy tells me you are sharing Loyalties today, your racing loyalty lays with Lorne Romsey and MIDAS and there is a rumour that at the after race party celebrations you will be upholding the honor of a new residency Down Under Racing.”

All I got was a grin and he wandered off.

No Matter how hard I looked all the remaining 9 fillies were all alone in their stalls not a strapper trainer or attendant to be found. So all I can do is give you my best thoughts on each of them, and then see if I can find where everyone has disappeared to?

No 2. Horse Map of Dubai LV from renowned trainer bizalls stable and representing the twin residencies of Hoosier and Only Stayers, this ultra consistent filly looks wonderful value at 7/1. With 2 wins and 4 minor placings from only 7 starts, her 1st start as a 3yo could be her 1st win as a 3yo.

No 3. Warquist coming from Tenpoint Racing team and representing the All Star Racing Residency. This Nyquist filly is coming off a very unlucky 2nd in her residencies end of year race day. She just failed to see out the distance and was caught in the last half furlong. The up side for this 9/2 chance is her last start SP the downside her failure to run her race right out.

No 4. Late Registration The track office tells me that trainer Atthewire brought this aptly named filly to the track only last night and had to pay a penalty to get her entered (and to get an invite to last nights pre-race soiree). I am sure his Boss at EWC Residency will not be amused. Unluckily, for Atthewire said Boss Mr Tye (Big Oil) Dye himself was seen flying in on his private jet this morning. I am sure if we could find him he would claim to only be here to look after the interests of the No. 5 horse Burning Grip. If Atthewire’s filly can beat the Boss’s to the line later today, then that will go a long way to being forgiven for arriving late. Late Registration’s last start allowance win over the slightly longer 9 furlongs puts her in the driving seat to take out this race at the value odds of 6/1.

As for Burning Grip she is another ultra consistent filly only finishing out of the top three once in her 9 race career and that was in her 1st start. At odds of 8/1 she certainly going to be in the race for a long way if not all the way

No. 6 Spring Melt is a leased horse not affiliated with any residency, but as the most experienced runner today and a Group 1 winner, she goes to the post as 7/2 favorite. Boasting 7 wins from her 10 starts her odds might even be a little on the generous side. However a closer look at her form reveals why, she has only been around 2 turns once for her worst race result of 9th after 7 straight wins. Although 9th she was just 4 lengths back and her SP was ok at 95

No. 7 Shez Frosty With her only win coming in a Maiden Claim race 3 starts back, one could say her trainer courtbo16 must like beer. Representing the URC this girl does look well out of her class and her odds of 18/1 appear to be quite light on.

No. 8 Rocks Bullet With a fairly unforgettable 1st 4 starts on dirt, trainer lightng99 switched her to grass for her last 3 go arounds. Representing the ESR Residency, she will try two turns for the 1st tie and back on the dirt. Definitely another trainer enticed to come here by the promise of some free silver bullets (was it the name similarity possibly)?

No. 9 Wild Beauty At first glance at her form guide, your initial reaction would have to be, what the ****?? Unraced since last November, 4 starts 3 of which it took to win her MSW, and a 3rd in a NW2L Allowance last start and all on TURF! Then you see who her trainer is, the renowned CVBear an independent without any current affiliation to a Residency. A trainer known for unusual moves but not usually unsuccessful ones. This striking filly goes to the post at 12/1, I would have expected a minimum of 50/1, but the bookies know this trainer well, and wont be taking any risks.

No. 10 Freakfire Although her trainer has strong ties to the GR Simsters Residency the Freak is running under the ASR banner and goes off at the same 9/2 odds as their other representative. Last start stakes winner and a winner of 5 of her 6 starts, one has no choice but to expect a very strong showing from this what could only be called dainty filly. Small petite and as fast as a lightning strike, she is definitely no flash in the pan.

Well I was about to give you my tips but the only tip I can give with surety is the beer is cold, and it cannot be allowed to get warm, so I am off to the sponsors marquee CHEERS!

Oh alright if you must the 10 from the 3 and the 1

Darcy “Dingo” MacPhee – signing off for now